Hi, Just a flash of my mind, don't know how practical it would be in this scenario: now NGX was on the board for more than 3 years before it went beta, meanwhile B777 is in the queue. Now how would it be to release like say the model first with exteriors, virtual and 2-d panel and a basic but functional FMC and overhead Panel switches so people can start flying, but the complete development or feature proofing can continue and updates released as things are implemented. I think you can call it modular development cycle to bring out the complete product so folks like me can enjoy PMDG quality while not waiting for wholesome stuff to come out. I'm sure many would be more than happy to pay the full cost upfront while they're rest assured of further feature updates.B h a s k a r - K r i s h n a

That's never been PMDGs way of doing things, and I'm sure they won't start now. PMDG seems convinced that a released product must be a complete product, unlike some developers. For that, I am extremely thankful.Will Stroud

I hope this will never happen! If you want to pay for incomplete work go to CS, they didn't even finish 727 yet, and they release next unfinished aircrafts, that should satisfy you... Regards,

PMDG is not Captainsim, and never will be.

Worst. Idea. Ever.

Paying the full cost for a product before it is complete adds a host of challenges as you start having to work with customer demands on completing the project - much more is at stake if the company does not finish on time. The whole point of buying an aircraft from PMDG has as much to do with the systems modeled as it does the exterior of the plane. If I wanted to buy the exterior model of the plane, I'd go out and buy a 1/400 scale version of the 737 and put it on my desk. That's about as much action an empty shell aircraft would have in my flight sim hangar. As long as the exterior of the plane looks accurate, I'm happy as I spend 95+% of my time on the flight deck looking out the windows and for me it's what is above and below the windows that matters most to me. I wouldn't want to buy a house with only the exterior finished, why would I do the same with an aircraft?

That's never been PMDGs way of doing things, and I'm sure they won't start now. Will Stroud

What do you call their 747-800 then, or their Dreamlifter? The 800 isn't even certified yet and there's a PMDG model of it available. They are essentially the same thing that people who have bought exterior models from other developers are, a model that is merged with something that is a bit like the interior, but not exactly.I'm not the world's biggest fan of this approach myself to be honest, but don't go using this as an excuse to be slagging off other developers when the fact is, PMDG have done the same thing with a couple of their Jumbo models.Al

It's not gonna work I mean what's the point of getting things cut into pieces. Then you can't easily make sure everything is working properly, you've got to test every situation. And even if it works I don't get the point of flying an aircraft of beautifuyl quality like the future 737NGX without the systems done, and so on. I really don't see how it can be a good idea even if that is what some developers might be doing, it just make things less clear in my opinion.

Why would PMDG change from a hard-working software company to a low quality scam shop?

Modular... This is PMDG not CaptainSim said it best!-Raven Harris

Note: This product is a visual model extension that uses the underlying PMDG 747-400X simulation for the flight, cockpit and systems models. This product is not intended to simulate the difference in flight characteristics between the 747-400 and the 747-8. This product allows the user to add a high fidelity visual model of the 747-8 to their Flight Simulator X experience. The above is from the PMDG website and is part of the product description of the 800. You people need to check things out a bit more before you commence laying into Captain Sim for having done basically the same thing.Al

What do you call their 747-800 then, or their Dreamlifter? The 800 isn't even certified yet and there's a PMDG model of it available. They are essentially the same thing that people who have bought exterior models from other developers are, a model that is merged with something that is a bit like the interior, but not exactly.I'm not the world's biggest fan of this approach myself to be honest, but don't go using this as an excuse to be slagging off other developers when the fact is, PMDG have done the same thing with a couple of their Jumbo models.Al

Your right. The 800 isn't certified and never will be. The -8 will though. But PMDG's -8 is a "finished" product. Captain sim on the other hand is taking a unfinished product and releasing it and then making you pay for the rest of it later. PMDG releases what they want to call the "finished" product. EDIT: By the way the -8 and the LCF were not even thought of when the 747 was thought of. The LCF and the -8 were just side projects to add some fun. Captain sim is totally different than what pmdg is doing

Nope, it's not totally different, it is slightly different from what CS has done on occasion. Really, I'm just playing devil's advocate here; I think we all know that systems fidelity is something PMDG is noted for, so I agree that the same business model doesn't really suit PMDG.But plenty of people go for what Captain Sim do, even Tom, Avsim's founder bought their new 777 model, as did I and many other Avsim members. We are not new to buying FS products and we have not had the wool pulled over our eyes, nor have we been scammed. We know what we bought and were happy to do so, merging it with other things until the finished product shows up. Just as we are happy to buy PMDG products and those of many other developers.As I say, I don't think that notion suits where PMDG are coming from, but someone making the suggestion as a discussion point should not be an excuse to immediately descend into slagging off other developers whom it does suit. People do themselves no credit when they indulge in that, and PMDG certainly do not need you or I to defend them.Al

Nope, it's not totally different, it is slightly different from what CS has done on occasion. Really, I'm just playing devil's advocate here; I think we all know that systems fidelity is something PMDG is noted for, so I agree that the same business model doesn't really suit PMDG.But plenty of people go for what Captain Sim do, even Tom, Avsim's founder bought their new 777 model, as did I and many other Avsim members. We are not new to buying FS products and we have not had the wool pulled over our eyes, nor have we been scammed. We know what we bought and were happy to do so, merging it with other things until the finished product shows up. Just as we are happy to buy PMDG products and those of many other developers.As I say, I don't think that notion suits where PMDG are coming from, but someone making the suggestion as a discussion point should not be an excuse to immediately descend into slagging off other developers whom it does suit. People do themselves no credit when they indulge in that, and PMDG certainly do not need you or I to defend them.Al

Absolutely agree. PMDG are top dog - and thank God for that - but Captain Sim has substantially changed their attitude and approach in many respects over the last few years (for the better) , and you cannot fault their quality.

No... Just no.CS it is for you OP!! Not PMDG!